Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Sponsorship of the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
The Bloomberg Connects App Will Serve as the Exclusive Free Mobile App for Visitors Off and Onsite
Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced that it will serve as an official sponsor of the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Bloomberg Philanthropies support will include engaging audiences via national pavilions, supporting public programs, and digital content. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ free Bloomberg Connects mobile app will serve as the exclusive app for the Biennale Arte 2024.
The information on Bloomberg Connects will be available in over 40 languages starting April 17, 2024, and will include insights on the more than 300 artists featured in the International Exhibition curated by Adriano Pedrosa and the art in the 87 national pavilions of the Biennale Arte 2024. With helpful way-finding maps, the mobile app will serve as a central resource for in-person visitors enjoying public programming, and artwork. It will also include photos, videos, audio content from artists and curators that will allow app users to explore featured artwork from anywhere.
“Biennale Arte 2024 is bringing together artists from around the world, and we’re thrilled to lend our support to the pavilions, public programs, and digital content,” said Patricia E. Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Through the Bloomberg Connects app, attendees will be able to engage with artists and their work in a unique and intimate way, promoting new ways of thinking about the world – and each other.”
Bloomberg Philanthropies is supporting the U.S. Pavilion featuring Jeffery Gibson’s the space in which to place me in partnership with the Portland Art Museum and SITE Santa Fe. Gibson is the first solo Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. at the Biennale Arte and their artistic practice combines American, Indigenous, and Queer histories with influences from music and pop culture, creating a dynamic visual language that reflects the inherent diversity and hybridity of American culture.
Additionally, Bloomberg Philanthropies is supporting the British Pavilion’s digital programs around the John Akomfrah exhibition Listening all Night to the Rain in partnership with the British Council. The exhibition investigates memory, post-colonialism, and the experiences of migrant diasporas globally via a series of digital screen works. Bloomberg Connects will launch a new digital guide for the British Council featuring information about this exhibition and its broader collection. Bloomberg Philanthropies is also supporting public engagement at the Korean Pavilion featuring South Korean-born mixed-media and installation artist Koo Jeong A.
In partnership with Serpentine Galleries, Bloomberg Philanthropies is hosting two in-person public breakfast talks during the opening week at the La Biennale di Venezia Library. The events will feature artists from across the globe discussing key issues within their practice and recordings will be available on Bloomberg Connects.
Bloomberg Philanthropies has a long-standing history of supporting international Biennales including partnerships in Liverpool, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Venice since 2001. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts program utilizes innovative partnerships and bold approaches to place arts at the center of economic growth and to empower artists and cultural organizations. Support for the 60th International Art Exhibition also builds on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ history of funding digital innovation at cultural organizations around the world. Since 1999, Bloomberg Philanthropies has helped museums stay up to date with relevant new technology – such as audio guides, mobile apps, and location-aware navigational tools – to transform the visitor experience, encouraging interaction and exploration on- and off-site. Earlier this year, Bloomberg Philanthropies expanded the Digital Accelerator Program to help cultural organizations strengthen technology and management practices to improve operations, generate revenue, fundraise, engage broader audiences, and expand programming.
Bloomberg Connects offers access to exhibitions, collections and renowned artists at over 350 museums and cultural organizations around the world. Bloomberg Connects makes it easy for users to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices when visiting in person, or anytime from anywhere. With dynamic content exclusive to each partner organization, the free app provides a range of features including video, audio, and text; expert commentary; and way-finding maps. Follow Bloomberg Connects on Instagram, Facebook, and X for updates on new guide launches, exhibit highlights, and more.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Carriero, Bloomberg Philanthropies, rebeccac@bloomberg.org or +1 (212) 205-0182